AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson has not held back after a “completely unacceptable” performance against MK Dons on Tuesday night.
Wimbledon would travel to Milton Keynes on Tuesday night with the hopes of getting back into the race for the play-offs, those hopes have now been dashed after a brutal 3-1 loss which also saw the Wombles pick up two red cards.
Having been 3-0 up after just 22 minutes, MK Dons were in control from the off, and dominated proceedings. With 12 shots on target and the lion’s share of possession, it came as no surprise to see them run out as easy winners.
Although they must be given credit for their performance, Wimbledon’s was one of their worst of a season, at a time where they needed to be at their best. Jackson’s side looked flat and even given the history between the two sides, the players showed fairly little fight.
Red cards for Huseyin Biler and Paul Kalambayi capped an extremely disappointing day for the Wombles and it now seems as if it is back to the drawing board for Jackson.
Speaking to club media after the loss, Jackson expressed his disappointment.
“The first-half was completely unacceptable, it wasn’t good enough for the football club and it wasn’t good enough for the supporters. We were unrecognisable from the team that we’ve been this season. We didn’t show anything that we’re good at, that’s given us success this season, and that’s the most frustrating thing.
“We were second to everything – headers, tackles. I told the lads that if they hadn’t been wearing yellow and blue, I wouldn’t have recognised that as my Wimbledon team. Normally, you could put them in green and white stripes and still recognise that it’s us.
“We’ve given them three goals through soft defending. And then in the second-half we’ve seen a response. We had some words with them at half-time, we needed to do something different, and it gives us something to take into the coming games.”
Writer’s View
Although they may only be four points off of the play-off places, Wimbledon’s chances do seem to have slipped away in recent weeks. With just one win in their last five matches, including a loss and a draw to the bottom two sides, it seems as if the Wombles have very much regressed in recent weeks.
Jackson will be hoping that the return of Ali Al-Hamadi and Omar Bugiel from Asian Cup duty can spark a revival as if not, it looks as if the club will be spending another season in the fourth tier.
